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Zebra Shark

These zebras lose their stripes! As juveniles, these sharks have dark bodies with yellowish stripes. As they mature, the pattern changes to small dark spots on a grayish-tan background. Because of this, zebra sharks are often mistakenly referred to as leopard sharks.

Two more features distinguish the zebra shark: the prominent ridges running the length of the body, and the impressive tail, which is nearly as long as the body itself.

Diet

Zebra sharks feed mainly on reef mollusks and crustaceans as well as small fish.

This shark’s flexible body allows it to squirm into narrow crevices and reef channels in search of food.

Size

The maximum reported size of a zebra shark is nearly 12 feet, though lengths of less than 7.5 feet are more common.

Range

Zebra sharks are found around near-shore reefs of the western Pacific Ocean (Japan to Australia), the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.

Population Status

Although this shark is not listed as threatened or endangered, it is regularly taken in by inshore fisheries, and thus may be vulnerable to decline.

Predators

With the exception of some other large sharks, few predators could tackle an adult zebra shark.

As with other sharks, humans are the biggest threat. Zebra shark meat, collected by inshore fisheries, is sold both fresh and salt-dried, and is used in fishmeal. The livers are processed for vitamins, and the fins are dried for the shark-fin trade.